TUNNG – … AND THEN WE SAW LAND Tunng have shifted their line-up around a bit with singer Becky Jacobs taking a more prominent role. The new album is rich with folk and electronic elements and they aren’t afraid to push along the rhythms and take the music to less song based places. A varied and lush album that yield new discoveries upon each new … Continue reading WEEKLY ROUND UP
reviewed for FasterLouder A fair amount of trepidation accompanies a gig like this, such is the reputation of mainman Anton Newcombe. Reports of their Gaelic Theatre show a few years ago were either frothing about Newcombe’s shambolic antics or deriding it for the lack of focus on the music. Either way it would have made for a memorable gig and it definitely didn’t deter the … Continue reading REVIEW: THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE @ Metro, Sydney 28/02/10
After an impressive showing at the Soundwave Festival a few days prior this was a gig that promised much and for the most part delivered. After negotiating a carpark/backdoor entrance to the Factory Theatre it quickly became apparent that this wasn’t a gig for pale indie kids. Clutch fans are generally large males with a decidedly metal/punk/rocker fashion aesthetic. Local lads The Fumes were battling … Continue reading REVIEW: CLUTCH @ Factory Theatre, Sydney 24/02/10
With Pavement joining the reunion bandwagon there has been high anticipation in the air and the reports are in for their first show in Auckland New Zealand supported by the brilliant 3Ds who themselves have reunited for some shows. The New Zealand Herald’s Russell Baillie has the first review of the show… The band delivered a 20-plus song set centred largely on their early albums … Continue reading NEWS: PAVEMENT Reunion Tour Begins…
Its always a tricky scenario when one of your favourite bands is one of the first of the day at a festival. In this case it was Sunny Day Real Estate who were starting at 12.30pm. Leave the city at 10.30am? – that should give us plenty of time… NOT. Once we hit the motorway approach to the exit the traffic slowed to a halt … Continue reading REVIEW: SOUNDWAVE 2010, Sydney Australia
1 2 3 4 5 reviewed for FasterLouder One of life’s great tragedies is that sense of anticipation you have for a new album from a band that has previously delivered a brilliant piece of work – and they always fail to live up to your expectations. The cruel part is that you keep holding out hope with each new album that comes along, thinking … Continue reading REVIEW: TINDERSTICKS – Falling Down A Mountain
1 2 3 4 5 reviewed for FasterLouder Midlake caught a lot of people by surprise and acquired new fans with their 2006 album The Trials Of Van Occupanther, a record that in part captured the freewheeling spirit of the 70s and west coast America. Lurking beneath the big breezy melodies was a more fragile and folk based sound that hinted at where the band’s … Continue reading REVIEW: MIDLAKE – The Courage Of Others
1 2 3 4 5 reviewed for FasterLouder Mr Tom Waits is a curious and pretty unique character. Over the years he has had many accusations leveled at him with regard to his appropriation of the blues and his hobo/gin joint piano man image. Some see it as a completely constructed act that attempts to convince the listener of an authenticity that isn’t genuine. Others … Continue reading REVIEW: TOM WAITS – Glitter And Doom Live
1 2 3 4 5 Reviewed for The Dwarf Want a history lesson of British music of the last forty years? Well take a journey with Anton Newcombe and his band of merry men on their new album Who Killed Sgt. Pepper? It could just be their most realised album to date and also one of their most adventurous. There are clues to the bigger … Continue reading REVIEW: THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE – Who Killed Sgt. Pepper
A brutally hot Sydney day greeted 55,000 people as they made their way to the Showgrounds for what was the 99th Big Day Out show. As expected the dress code was plenty of skin, tiny denim shorts, bikinis and a lot of surf shorts and dodgy tattoos. If anything the BDO seems to attract a younger audience each year, as much there for the rite … Continue reading REVIEW: BIG DAY OUT – SYDNEY 2010
There have been some recent journalistic doubting of the authenticity of Seasick Steve’s persona and the stories of his life experiences. Anyone not convinced of his right to play the blues need only witness the man live in concert where his music rightfully and righteously sets the record straight. The Snowdroppers were one of those little known support acts that impresses and leaves a lasting … Continue reading REVIEW: SEASICK STEVE @ The Metro, Sydney 04/01/10
Brisvegas’ Oh Ye Denver Birds joined Akron/Family for their tour and they were a suitable support choice with their low-key rambling and hypnotic sound. They have elements of Arcade Fire in their more uplifting moments alongside more folkier sounds of early Animal Collective and The Dodos. It was the first time I had seen The Paper Scissors live and they are a curious proposition. They … Continue reading REVIEW: AKRON/FAMILY @ Annandale, Sydney 12/12/09
Doubtful Sounds 